GLENORCHY AND INNISHAIL COMMUNITY COUNCIL

Minutes of Council Meeting

held in Dalmally Village Hall

on 17 November 2006 at 7.30pm

Present John Burke, Pam Whitehead, Kate Craig, Cavin Crawford, Donald McLaren, Karl Pipes, Averil Watson, Councillor Allan Macaskill, PC Greg Bryce plus 10 members of the public

1. Welcome

John Burke stood in as Chair for the meeting and welcomed everyone.

2. Apologies for Absence

None

3. Election of Chair

The Chair announced that Alan Thomas had resigned and thanked him for being an excellent Chair. He stated there would be an election, as soon as possible, to elect another Member for the Dalmally area. It is believed that the CC is allowed to elect 8 + 1 Members, ie a total of 9 Members, and therefore would seek to elect a further Member as well as the one for Dalmally. The Secretary is seeking clarification from Kenneth MacDonald at Argyll & Bute Council. It was agreed that the Election of a Chair would be discussed by the Members after the end of the CC meeting and put back on the agenda for the next CC meeting.

4. Minutes of CC Meeting held on 14 September 2006

The Minutes were approved.

5. Matters Arising from Previous Meeting

(a) Eredine Road - Karl Pipes reported that the money had been raised for the repair of the road and that the repair would go ahead.

(b) Leisure Classes - Averil Watson reported that a Creative Computing class had begun in Dalmally.

(c) Grant Applications - The Secretary reported that the CC had received a grant of £5000 from Awards for All for the repair of Lochawe Village Hall.

6. Presentation from Gregor Cameron, West Highland Housing Association

Gregor Cameron explained the role of West Highland Housing Association. He said that they were proceeding with the affordable housing in Bridge of Orchy and would need a letter of support from the CC for this. He said there had been 20 applications for affordable housing in Bridge of Orchy and 35 applications for Dalmally. So far they have not identified any land in Dalmally where houses could be built for these applicants, but he would be interested to hear from landowners. Gregor left some applications forms, which are available at Dalmally Post Office.

7. Police Report

PC Greg Bryce stated 2006 was the quietest summer since he started working in the area. He summarised the various offences committed, including 30 drivers caught speeding in Lochawe village since the speed limit had been reduced to 30mph, and a biker doing 102mph near Bridge of Orchy.

8. Proposed footpath from Glenview to the Fever Hospital

The Secretary read out a letter from Mr McGranahan stating his opposition to the proposed footpath. It was agreed that as there is so much opposition to the path from the residents living on the route to the proposed footpath that it would be unlikely to proceed and the CC would not take the proposal any further. The Secretary also mentioned that she had been sent an email from the Forestry Commission requesting a letter from the Community Council stating its agreement to the Dalmally Community Company acting as the official route for taking forward woodland path projects. The Secretary voiced her objection to agreeing to this. It was noted that three Members are on the committee of the Dalmally Community Company. It was agreed this would be put on the agenda for the next CC meeting.

9. Secretary's report of meeting with Transerv

The Secretary reported that she had had a meeting with Steve Braithwaite from Transerv and they agreed to repaint the white lines at the Dalmally/Inveraray road junction, which they have already done; they agreed that an anti-skid road surface at St Conans Kirk would probably help reduce the number of accidents and they are going to recommend this to Transport Scotland; they agreed to fill in the hole at the bus stop opposite the police station in Dalmally and this will be done soon; they agreed to put up a sign to warn road users of the dangerous corner by St Conans Kirk in Lochawe; they agreed to put up a sign to warn road users of the Health Centre turn off in Dalmally; and they agreed to contact Transport Scotland regarding the extension of the 40mph limit past the Health Centre junction.

10. Telephone Book

The Treasurer stated that she had been given a bill of £130 from the Print Shop in Oban for printing the local telephone books. She said she knew nothing about the invoice and also had not received any income from the sale of the telephone books. Averil Watson stated that the income (£200) had gone to the Dalmally Community Company, and that it had been agreed at a previous CC meeting that this would happen and that the print bill would be paid by the CC. The Secretary agreed to check the CC Minutes filed at Argyll & Bute Council to get a copy of the Minutes where this was decided. It was agreed that, in the meantime, the CC would pay the print bill but if it was found that there was no minute stating the CC should pay then the Dalmally Community Company would reimburse the CC. This would be discussed again at the next CC meeting.

11. Any other Business

(a) Trevor Baney mentioned that there is a lot of plant growth around the war memorial in Dalmally, which needs to be cut back. He agreed to write to Councillor Macaskill, who said he would look into the matter.

(b) Averil Watson stated there was water leaking between the canopy and the railway building, there are no designated parking spaces in the railway car park and the cycle rack could be moved to another place.

(c) Averil Watson asked if there was planning permission for the cross on the hill above Craig Lodge. Councillor Macaskill agreed to look into the matter.

(d) There was mention of the amount of scrub obscuring the view of motorists at the junction by Rowanbank in Dalmally. The Secretary will write to Transerv to get the scrub cut back.

(e) Averil Watson mentioned a Polish man had knocked on her door selling drawings but was unable to speak English, and asked if there were any language classes available. PC Greg Bryce said he should be contacted if people are knocking on doors selling goods without a license.

(f) Eredine Bridge - Karl Pipes thanked Councillor Macaskill for his help in getting the bridge in this year's budget for repair.

(g) The Secretary mentioned there had been a planning application to build five houses on the land opposite St Conans Kirk in Lochawe. She suggested the CC object to where the access to the houses was being proposed, as it is on the bend opposite St Conans Kirk where there have been a number of accidents. It was agreed the Secretary would send a letter of objection.

A vote of thanks was given to Councillor Allan Macaskill.

There being no further business the meeting ended at 9.00pm

12. Date of Next Meeting

The date for the next meeting is Friday, 26th January 2007 at 7.30pm in Lochawe Village Hall.